Adjustable chair



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. F. CHILD.

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR.

Patented Peb. 16

N. PETERS. Photo-Lilhognphnr. Wllhingun, 11C` (No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. F. CHILD.

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR.

No. 336,387. Patented Feb. 16, 1886.

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ATTO IVE);

N, Pneus, Pnawmhognpw. www n. c.

(N0 Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

e. F. CHILD.

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR.

No. 336,387. Patented Feb. 16, 1886.

N. PETERS, Phow-Lixhagnphnr. wal-hingen, D. C,

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4. G. F. CHILD.

ADJUSTABLE UHAIR.

No. 336,387. Patented Feb. 16, 1886.

UNiTEn STATES PATENT OEEicE..

GEORGE F. CHILD, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 336,387, dated February16, 1886.

Application filed May 13, 1884. Serial No. 131,393.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. CHILD, of Springfield, in the county ofClark and State of Ohio, have invented certain Improvements inAdjustable Chairs, of which the following is a specification.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figurel representsasideelevation ofthe chair as it appears when adjusted for use by a personsitting in an erect position with the footsupport upon the door. Fig. 2is rear elevation of the same, portions ofthe upholstering being removedto expose the springs for sustaining the Weight of the adjustable back,and also various other details. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of aportion of the interior of the base-frame, showing the devices by whichthe rocker-frame is locked in position thereon. Fig. 4 is across-section on the linel 1, Fig. 1, showing the mechanism by which themovable foot-rest is locked in position when resting upon the floor.Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the chair in the position represented inFig. 1, the footacst being removed and a portion of the main frame beingbroken away at the side to expose interior parts to view. Fig. Gisavertical longitudinal section through the chairframe on the line 2 2 ofFig. 5, the upholstering being removed and the seatframe beingrepresented as lifted above the chair in order to expose the operativeparts of the mechanism to view. Fig. 7 is avertical crossseetion on theline 3 3 of Figs. 1 and 6 through the arms land attendant devices bywhich the back of the chair is varied in inclination. Fig. 8 is avertical section on the line et 4 of Figs. 1 and 6, showing the detailsof the clamp forlockingthe movable footrest. Fig. 9isaverticallongitudinal section through the rear bar of the seat-frame onthe line 5 5 of Fig. 12. Fig. 1() is a side elevation of the chair as itappears when adjusted for a recumbent position of the occupant. Fig. 11is an end view of the foot-rest and the movable side boards employedtherewith. Iiig. 12 is a top plan view of the samema portion of theupholstering being removed to expose the frame-work thereunder. Fig. 13is a crosssection on the line 6 6, Figs. 1, 6, and l0, showing theconstruction of the devices for changing the pivotal point of the back.Fig. 14 is (No model.)

a perspective view of one of the bearings by which the foot-rest isconnected to the seatframe. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the slidingseat-frame, one end being broken away to expose one of the bolts bywhich the legrest is attached. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of therocker-frame and the sliding bars thereon to sustain the seat-frame.

In proceeding to construct my chair I first providea base-frame, A,designed to rest permanently upon the floor or other support. This framemay be of any suitable character, with or without supportingcasters a.It is preferably composed, as shown in the drawings, oftwo longitudinalside bars having l1orizontal upper surfaces, b, and of cross-bars C andD, forming rigid connections between them. The cross-bar Cis made ofliatform, in order to afford an extended surface for the support of thespring and rocking devices hereinafter described. On top of thebaseframe I mount the rocker-frame -B, which serves to support theremaining portions of the chair. This rocker-frame may be varied in itsdetails of construction, provided its sides are curved on the loweredge, to admit of its rocking forward and backward on top of thebase-frame.

For the purpose of maintaining the rocker'- frame normally in ahorizontal position, Iconneet it by means of plates (Z, pivoted to itsinner sides, to the extremities of a spring, e, which extendstransversely across the baseframe,with a pivotal connection thereto atthe middle. rIhe details of this spring, which is well known in the art,constitute no part of my invention, and it may be replaced by any otherknown form of spring adapted for the purpose.

At certain times it is desirable that the rocker-frame shall be leftfree to receive a rocking motion, and at othertimcs that it shall besecured rigidly to the base-frame in different positions, according tothe purposes for which the chair may be used or the adjustment in whichits other parts may be placed. For this purpose I provide a lockingmechanism, such as represented in Figs. 3, 5, and 6. A sector-plate, g,is pivoted to the base-frame on leach side and pivoted on one edge to alink, It, t-he upper end of which is in turn pivoted to IOO therocker-frame, so that the movement ofthe rocker-frame causes the plateto turn upon its axis. Directly in rear of these pla-tesI extend acrossthe frame from side to side a'locking bar, t', the ends of which areseated in slots or slotted plates on the frame, so that the bar may becaused to engage simultaneously with the two sector-plates, thus lockingthe rockerframe on both sides of the chair. The locking-bar is providedat its middle, as in Fig. 3, with a backwardlyextending arm, the rearend of which is pivoted to a hand-lever, lc, which is in turn pivoted atone end to the crossbar of the rocker-frame, and extended at theopposite end outward through a slotin the side of said frame in suchposition that it may be readily operated by the person occupying thechair. A backward movement of the projecting end of this lever has theeffect of unlocking the bar from both sector-plates, and thus leavingthe rocker-frame free to tip forward and backward, while a forwardmovement of the lever,on the other hand,will have the' effect of causingthe bar to lock both plates.

The series of notches in the sector-plates admit of the rocker-framebeing locked in a horizontal position or in either of variousinclinations in a forward or backward direction.

A shoulder or locking device may be elnployed to hold the hand-lever inposition, if required; but under ordinary circumstances this is foundunnecessary.

The seat, back, and foot-rest of my chair are adjustable to variouspositions, as hereinafter explained. The effect of these adjustments isto cause the center of gravity of the occupant to be shifted forward andbackward with respect to the rocker-frame. For the purpose ofcounteracting this effect, and bringing the center of gravity at alltimes at or near the center of the rocker, to the end that theadjustmentsof thenchair may be conveniently effected, and that there maybe no tendency to tip forward and backward, I provide for an adjustmentof the seat, back,and foot-rest-or, in other words, of all thesupporting-surfaces of the chair-forward and backward with respect tothe rockeiframe. The details ofconstruction to this end may be modifiedin Vvarious respects, which will suggest themselves to the skilledmechanic, the essential feature of the invention consisting in thecombination of the supporting-surfaces with the rockerfranie in suchmanner that they are movable forward and backward thereon.

v In the drawings, Figs. l, 2, 6, 7, and 16, I haverepresented theroeker-frameB as provided on the top with longitudinal rails or slidesZ, which support and guide correspondingplates, m, which are secured atthe sides of the seat-frame, this construction -permitting theseat-frame to slide forward and backward upon the rocker-frame. Iloprevent the accidental disengagement of the parts, the flanges or lips nare formed on the plates m and arranged to engage over and beneath theedges of the plates l, in the manner represented in Fig. 7.

In order to prevent the accidental shifting of the seatframe, it isnecessary to provide means for locking the same in position. For thispurpose I provide each of the plates m with a longitudinal slot and passdownward through the saine a T-headed bolt or plate, o, which extendsthrough the lower plate l, and has lower extremity mounted on aneccentric formed Von the `journal of a hand-wheel, p, which latter has abearing in the rocker-frame and isv exposed on the exterior,.as shown inFig. 7. These wheels are in such position that they may be convenientlyreachedby the occupant of the chair. When thewheels are rotated in theproper direction, the eccentrics tend to draw the bolt or plate odownward, so as to bring the plate in into forcible contact with theplate Z, thereby locking the two firmly together. The hand-wheels arepreferably given a bearing in projections formed on the metal plates l,as shown in Fig. 7.

The square seat-frame consists, as shown in Fig. 15, of Wooden side barsand two metallic cross-bars, r and s, located at the front and rear, andprovided at the ends with upturned flanges, which are screwed or boltedfast to the inner faces of the side bars, as shown in Fig. 6. Thebaranswers the additional purpose of a weight to counterbalance the backof the chair when used as a rocker.

As seen in Figs. 15, 6, and 9, the side bars ofthe frame lie whollyabove the upper surfaces ofthe cross-bars, leaving a flat unobstructedspace between the side bars for the introduction of the upholstery, theconstruction being such that the series of springs to sustain the seatmay be extended to the extreme edges of the seatframe, those at thefront and rear being seated, if desired, directly on top of the bars rand s. This construction is advantageous, in that it permits the seat tobe given soft and elastic edges, which could not be done were the frontand rear barsraised to a level with the side plates. The rea-r bar, s,is made, as shown in Fig. 15, of an L forni in cross-section, and hassecured to its rear surface a wooden bar, s, to which the upholsteringmay be tacked or otherwise attached. The front bar is provided on itsforward edge with a wooden bar, 9", screwed or otherwise securedthereto,`to admit of the upholstering being attached.

Referring next to the back of the chair, it consists, as shown in theseveral figures, of a section, E, to support the lower portionof theback and the hips, an upper section, F, to support the shoulders, and ofatop section, G, to support the head, the three sections being jointedtogether and to the seatframe. The lower section, E, commonlydenominated the hip-rest,7 consists of a rectangular frame .mounted on ahorizontal shaft, H, which is 'extended through rlongitudinal slots inthe sides of the frame and seated at IIO its ends in ears orbearings onthe side plates, m, of the seat-frame, the arrangement being such thatthe rest is permitted not only a slid' ing motion on its rod in alongitudinal direction, but also a pivotal motion about the same. Thecombined sliding and pivotal motion of the rest E admits ot' its beingplaced in an upright, a horizontal, or in any intermediate po'- sition,while the sliding movement admits of its being raised and lowered. inorder to adapt the back of the chair to the height of the operator, sothat the shoulder and head rest may be brought into proper position toafford a comfortable support.

For the purpose of fixing the hip-rest E at the desired height, Iprovide the pivot-rod H at one end with a screw-thread and mount thereona hand-nut, I, as plainly represented in Fig. 13, securing its oppositeend to the bearing in which it is supported, or otherwise fixing it inposition. Around the two ends of the rod. inside of the plates m, Iplacefrictionplates a, the inner faces of which bear against the slottedplates b', secured to the sides of the rest-frame, as represented inFigs. 1,2, and 13. The plates a' are preferably constructed with necksor trunnions extending outward from the supporting-plates m, to receivethe pressure ot' the nut I on the outer side. Upon tightening the nut Ithe plates a will be forced against the plates b', creating frictionsufficient to prevent the rest-frame E from sliding in either direction,the frame being, however, left free to swing about the rod with apivotal motion.

For the purpose of relieving the parts from excessive strain, I encirclethe rod H with a metallic sleeve or tube, J, the ends of which abutagainst the inner faces of the plates b', as represented in Fig. 13,affording a solid support for said plates when subjected to compression.

In order to counterbalance the weight ofthe back-section E, in orderthat it may be raised and lowered by a person occupying the chair, Ipropose to employ springs applied in any suitable manner to urge theframe upward. I recommend for this purpose springs of the form andarrangement represented in Fig. 2. There are two of these springs, eachof a V form, one acting at each side of the chair. Each spring has itsupper end seated against a shoulder or other bearing on the frame E,while its lower end is seated on a bar or other support, c', which issupported at a fixed height by means of the cross-rod H, before referredto. In place of this support, any other fixed support tor the lower endof the springs may be employed. In practice I prefer to make the springsof a strength slightly greater than is required to elevate the back, inorder that they may rise automatically when released, but be dcprtssedby the application of a moderate pressure.

For the purpose ol' holding the hip'rest at dierent incli-nations, Ipivot the sume on each side7 at or near the upper end, tothe rear end ofa bar, K, which is extended forward and pivoted to the upper end of aswinging arm, L, which is fulcrumed upon a journal on the hand-wheels p,before referred to. Asa means of locking the seat against the slidingmotion forward and backward, each of these arms L is provided with apivoted lockingdog.tl,the lower end of which engages in holes or notchesin a sector-plate, d, which is ordinarily custintegral with thesideplate, m, of the rocker-frame, but which may bc, if desired, a separatepiece attached in any suitable manner. By means of the dogs the arms arelocked in position and the links K caused to sustain the backE firmlyeither in an inclined or in a horizontal position, as may be required.Each of the arms L is provided with a rigid handle or piece, j", bymeans of which it may be conveniently thrown forward and backward. Theoccupant of the chair, grasping these handles, may at the same timeconveniently unlock the dogs d', and thereby unlock the back, and bythrowing the arms L forward or backward change the position orinclination ofthe back as desired. In order that this adjustment may beeffected without undue exertion, I provide springs to counterbalance theweight of the buck. I prefer to employ spiral springs, arranged asrepresented in Figs. 6 and 7. The lower end of each arm L is providedwith a pin or journal extending inward through a slot in therocker-frame, and connected at its inner end to a rod, t, which extendsbackward through a spiral spring, j, to a washer or plate on its rearend. The forward end of the spring being seated against a stationaryplate, the force of the spring is applied through the rod to the lowerends ot' the arms L, and thence through the intermediate connectionsapplied to sustain the rest E.

As an additional means ofcontining the arms L inv position, I propose toemploy hand-nuts It, seated on bolts which are extended through curvedslots in the sector-plates e', and provided with heads or enlargementson the inner side, as shown in Fig. 7, so that by tightening the nutsthe arm may be bound tightly against the plate.

To prevent the arm L from being sprung laterally away fromthesector-plate, l propose to provide it, as represented in Fig. 7, witha lip or shoulder7 l', to engage over the edge of the plate.

teferring next to the middle section, F, of the back, commonlydenominated the shoulder-rest, it will be seen to consist of arectangular frame provided at its ends with inetallic plates mi, whichare pivoted at their lower ends to the corresponding plates, n, of thehip-rest E, this jointed connection permitting the shoulder-rest to bethrown forward and backward independently ot' the hip-rest.. In order tomaintain a close joint between the two sections, notwithstanding theirchanging relations, the pivotal point o should be located midway betweeuthe front and rear surfaces.

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For the purpose of locking the shoulder-rest in different positions withrespect to the hiprest, its side plates, m', are provided withdownwardlyextending arms p', each of which carries a transverse rod, y,the inner headed end of which is passed through a curved slot in theframe of the hip-rest, while the outer end is provided with a handnut,r. The surface of the plate against which the arm p bears may beserrated, as shown, or may be left smooth. By tightening the nut r thearm is caused to bind iirmly against the plate n', and in this mannerthe two rests E and F are locked firmly together. These nuts, like theothers before mentioned, may be conveniently operated by a person in thechair.

For the purpose of throwing the shoulderrest F automatically forward orupward when released, in order that it may be the more convenientlyadjusted, I employ flat springs M, which are secured at their lower endsto the hip-rest E, and arranged to bear at their upper ends against theback of the shoulderrest. These springs may be modified in form asdesired, provided they have the mode of action substantially as abovestated. It is manifest that they may be secured to either the hip or theshoulder rest, as preferred.

Referring next to the head-rest G, it is preferably made of acylindrical or substantially cylindrical form, being composed of a frameof any suitable character, provided with upholstering. At its ends thisframe is provided with depending` arms t', which are connected byhorizontal pivots to the frame of the shoulder-rest, in order that itmay tip forward and backward in relation thereto. rIhe arms t areextended below their pivots, and pro- 1 vided with a clamping bolt andnut engaging the frame of the shoulder-rest F, in the same manner thatthe arm of the latter engaged, as before described, the lframe of thehip-rest. This arrangeniient of parts permits the headrest to be securedin the various positions required. A spring or springs, N, secured tothe head-rest, act against the upper endl-dof the shoulder-rest to throwit forward or upward when released.

I believe myself to be the rst to combine with the sections of achair-back which are 'jointed together springs tending to throw thesections forward when released. For this reason I do not restrict myselfto the particular construction or arrangement of details hereindescribed, as it will be manifest to the skilled vmechanic that thesprings may be modified mounted in the bar K, and provided on the Yunder side with an eccentric lever, y', by means of which it may beclamped in position. In place of this lever, a thumb-screw or equivalentlocking device may be employed.

As it is sometimes desirable to give the arm O a fore-and-aft movementwith respect to the supporting-bar K, I provide the latter, as shown inFig. 1,with a slot, y, through which the -pivot of the link u passes.This construction permits the lower end of the link to receive a slidingmotion,whereby the rear end of the arm O is permitted to rise and fallindependently ofthe forward end. The arm w and the eccentric act, asbefore explained, to lock the arm O in either .of the positionsfin whichit may be placed. y j

In connection with my chair, I employ a foot-rest, I, consisting of arectangular frame Yprovided with foursupporting rollers or casters, a,this frame being adapted for a horizontal connection with the forwardedge of the seat-frame, as represented in Fig. l0, or to be placeddirectly upon the floor, as represented in Fig. 1. The rectangular frameforming the foot-rest is suitably upholstered or cushioned on its top,and provided on its sides with metallic plates b. At their rear ends theside plates are formed with daring sockets or eyes c, such asrepresented in Figs. 12 and 14, each having a lateral hole, d, thereinto receive the pivot-pin by which the foot-rest is connected to theseat-frame. The seat-frame has its front bar formed, as represented inFig. 5, with openings e, to receive the socket ends of the plates b ofthe foot-rest. Each end 'of this front bar is also provided with alaterally-sliding pivot-bolt,f, one end of which protrudes on theoutside of the chair,

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while the opposite end is returned or bent backward upon itself, in themanner plainly represented in Fig. 5, so that it may by an outwardsliding motion engage throughthe hole d in the corresponding arm of thefootrest. Each of these pivot-bolts f is encircled by a spiral springacting to urge it outward. The constructionand arrangement are such thatwhen the foot-rest is placed in position in front of the seat, with itsrear end adjacent to the latter and pushed backward, the ends ofthepivot-bolts f will ride into the sockets, and upon reaching the holes dwill spring outward automatically therein. When thus engaged, they serveas pivots, uniting the foot-rest P securely to the seat, but permittingits forward edge to swing upward and downward with the frame. Thedisengagement of the rest is effected by simply pressing the pins finward, whereby'they are caused to release the arms of the foot-rest.For the purpose of sustaining the foot-rest in the different posi- TSOtions which may be desired, I pivot to the under side of the rest a rod,Q, which may be extended backward through a clamping device, It, on therocker-frame. rlhis clamping device is constructed in the mannerrepresented in Figs. 1, 5, and 8. A guide-plate,

` g, is secured to the seat-frame, and provided with a slot or opening,through which the sliding rod Q is extended. rlhe rod is encircled by aswiveling clasp, 7L, which is split or divided on one side, and which isacted upon by an eccentric, i, the rotation of which has the effectofclosing the two arms of the clasp together,thereby contracting orpressing the saine tightly upon and around the rod Q, so that end motionof the rod is prevented. As shown in the drawings, the clasp is mountedso that it may turn loosely in its supportingplate, in order that it mayadapt itself to the changing inclination of the rod Q. The eccentric z"is attached to a rock shafj, which is seated horizontally in bearings onthe rocker-frame, and provided at one end, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6,with an upturned arm or crank, k, connected by a link or bar, Z, on oneend of a lever, m, which is also mounted on the seat-frame, and whichhas its opposite end exposed outside of the chair in such position thatit may be conveniently operated by the occupant.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by simply operating the lever mthe rod Q may be locked and unlocked, and thusthe foot-rest released orsecured in either of the various positions of which itis susceptible.The rockshaftj may be sustained by lugs or arms cast on the front bar ofthe seat-frame, or it may be otherwise connected with the seat-frame, ifdesired.

It will be perceived that when the foot-rest is connected to the seat,as above described, itmay be adjusted forward and backward therewith,and-may be also tipped or tilted therewith at pleasure.

It will be observed that the adjustment of the foot-rest with respect tothe seat is wholly independent of the other adjustments of the chair,and not in any sense automatic.

If desired, the foot-rest may, while connected with the seat, be lowereduntil the rollers at its forward edge bear upon and are sustained by thefioor, as shown in Fig. l0, in which case, if the rod Q be left free,the edge of the foot-rest will move forward and backward upon the floorwhen the chair receivesa rocking motion. Vhen it is desired to place thefoot-rest wholly upon the floor, I disconnect it from the seat-frame, inthemanner before explained', and place it in the position represented inFig. l. In order that when thus arranged it may be secured in differentpositions with respect to the chair, I provide special locking devicesto engage the rod Q, which I will now explain, I provide the base-frameon each side with a longitudinal rock-shaft, S, and mount upon the rodssliding sockets or sleeves T, which support the opposite ends of across-bar, U. This bar is in turn provided at the center with aneyebolt, V, and a tightening-nut therefor, so that by passing the rod Qof the foot-rest through the eyebolt and then tightening the nut thefootrest is secured in afiXed position with respect to the-cross-bar.The forward and backward motion of the foot-rest upon the floor isaccompanied by a like motion of the cross-bar. To provide for lockingthe cross-bar, and thus holding the foot-rest in position, I provide therock-shafts S each with a series of notches in one side, and provide thesliding sockets T, as shown in Fig. 4, each with a verticallymoving pin,IV, urged downward by aspring. 711cm the rock-shafts are turned in suchposition as to present the notches opposite the pins, the latter willengage therein, and thus prevent the cross-bar from moving eitherforward or backward. By turning the rock-shafts, however, their notchesmay be carried out of line with the locking-pins W, and the lattercaused to ride upon the smooth unbroken portion ofthe rod, whereupon thecross-bar may move freely forward and backward.

In order to secure the proper action of the parts, it is desirable thatthe two rock-shafts be turned simultaneously. For this purpose I provideeach shaft, as shown in Figs. I and 4, with a laterally-projecting armpivoted to the lower end of a link, X. rlhe upper ends of the two linksare mounted on eccentrics attached to opposite ends of a cross shaft, Y,which is seated in the base-frame and provided with a hand-wheel orequivalent operating device at one end. By turning this shaft theoperator is enabled to operate both rock-shafts and lock and interlockthe two ends of the crossbar.

By means of .the foregoing arrangement the occupant of the chair isenabled to release the foot-rest, and after moving the same forward orbackward to the desired position lock the same inplace.

In connection with the foot-rest I employ an adjustable foot-board, Z,sustained by means of two arms, Z, pivoted to opposite ends. These armsare pivoted in turn at their lower or inner ends to blocks n, arrangedto slide on guide-rods o, secured to the sides of the foot-rest. Theframe of the foot-rest is provided on each side with a series ofnotches, p", arranged in ahorizontal line at or near its upper edge, andalso provided with a second series of notches, q, arranged in asubstantially vertical line at its forward edge. Each of the armssupporting the foot-rest is provided ou the inner face with a lug, r,which may engage in either of the notches of the foot-rest. The arms Zare also provided on the under edge with aseries of notches orshoulders, and the sides ofthe foot-rest provided with studs s, toengage therein. Owing to the fact that the arms Z are pivoted to thesliding blocks a, they are permitted to swing upward and downward, andalso to slide forward and backward, so that the foot-board may beplaccdin a great variety of positions. By shifting the studs 1" on the armsfrom one to another of the notches p the foot-board may be moved forwardand backward without material change in its height. By adjusting thestud r from one to another of the notches q the foot-board may be raisedand lowered without being moved forward and backward to any essentialextent. By causing the stud s to engage in one or another of the notchesof the arms Z the footboard may be raisedand lowered at the same timethat it is moved forward and backward. It will thus be seen that bymeans of the three series of notches and the co-operating studs Iprovide for many variations in the position ofthe foot-board. Thevarious adjustments may of course be effected when the foot-rest P isconnected with the chair-seat as well as when it is arranged upon thedoor.

'Vhen the chair is to be used as a couch or for invalid purposes, Ipropose to employ therewith side boards or extensions, A-such asrepresented in Figs. l1 and 12--to give additional support to thebedding. These eX- tensions consist of skeleton frames covered withcanvas or other suitable material, and provided withdownwardly-extending arms, which are removably seated in holes orsockets formed in the frame of the chair. Fig. 12 shows clearly themanner of applying these extensions to the sides of the foot-rest. Theywill be constructed in like form and applied in like manner to the seat,the hip, and shoulder rests.

Referring again to the construction of the rocker-frame A, attention isdirected to Figs. 6 and 16. Owing to the fact that the lower section ofthe back, E-that is to say, the hiprest-passes downward behindandbeneath the seat, it is necessary that the transverse connectionsbetween the two sides of the rocker-frame shall be of such character asto afford the necessary room for the back. I therefore employ a metalcrossbar, a, preferably made-of the hollow form represented in Fig. 6,provided at each end with a real wardly-extending flange, b, and adownwardly-eXtending flange, c3. The bar serves as a strong and rigidconnection between the two rockers, and the two iianges,extending atright angles to each other, afford an extended surface, by means ofwhich the rockers are held firmly in the proper relation. v

It will be observed that in the operation of my chair the seat and backand the foot-rest, when attached to the seat, may be rocked forward andbackward without changing their relations to each other, and that bymeans of the devices for locking the rockers the parts may be held inone position or another, as required.

Itis to be noted that as the back is locked or jointed to the seat-frameit is caused to move forward and backward therewith without changing itsrelative adjustment. It will be further noted that the adjustment of theseat, back, and f0ot-rest in a forward and backward direction upon therockers may occur without may be omitted and the other features used inchairs which are not adapted to rock.

Instead of extending the pivot-rod H of the back entirely across thesame, the middleportion may be omitted, and two short rods or boltsused, one on either side.

I am aware that a scat arranged to slide upon a rocker has been hingedto the lower end of a back-rest, which was connected by fixed` pivots tothe chainframe, so that the inclination of t-he back was determined bythe position of the seat, and to such construction I lay no claim.

rlhe devices herein shown for effecting the adjustment of the foot-restwith reference to the leg-rest are not claimed as of this .invern tion,but will constitute the subject of a separate application.

Having thus described my invention, what-I claim is 1. In a chair, thecombination of a supporting-frame, a seat movable forward and backwardthereon, a back-rest hinged to the rear of the seat, and means,substantially as described, for securing the back at differentinclinations regardless of the position of the seat and without movingthe latter, whereby the back may be changed in inclination at will,while the seat is secured rmy in any position.

2. In a chair, a supportingframc, aseat arranged to slide forward andbackward thereon, a back hinged to the rear of the seat, andindependently-adjustable back-supporting devices, whereby the back maybe sustainedin the various positions required independently of theposition'of the seat.

3. In a chair,the combination ofabase-frame, a rocker-frame thereon,aseat-frame arranged to slide forward and backward on the rockerframe, aback hinged to and-carried by the seat-frame, a locking device to holdthe seat in different places, and an independently-adjustable lockingdevice to hold the back in position, whereby the weight maybe balancedupon the rockers with the back in either of its various positions.

4. In a chair, the combination of a baseframe, a rocker-framethereon,locking devices to hold the rocker-frame in differentpositions,l

a seat movable forward and' backward on the rockers, a-locking device tosecure the seat in place, and a back attached to the seat,whereby IOOIIO

the weight may be balanced upon the rockers and the seat secured at anyinclination demanded.

5. In a chair, the combination of a baseframe, a rockenframe thereon, alocking device to hold the rocker-frame in different positions, a seatmovable forward and backg ward on the rocker frame, a locking device tohold the seat in position, a back hinged to the seat and provided withlocking devices,

and a leg-rest hinged tothe seat and provided with locking devices,whereby the several supporting-surtaees may be placed in variousrelative positions, shifted forward and backward in unison to place theweightcentrally on the rockers, and placed at any inclination requiredwithout changing the relative positions or disturbing the occupant.

6. In a chair, the combination, with a seat L and a supporting-frametherefor, of a back the solid portion of which is movable, substantiallyas descr1bed,upward and downward past the rear edge ot the seat in closeproX- l imity thereto, whereby the'seat and back may l be caused toproduce jointly a continuousf supportingsurl'aee of greater or lesslength, as occaslon may require.

7. The combination ot' the seat, the back sustaining rod, and the backslotted longitudinaly and transversely between its upper and lower edgesto receive the rod, whereby it is permitted to slide upward anddownward,and also to tip forward and backward upon said rod as an axis.

8. In a chair, the base-frame, the rockerframethereomthe slidingseat-frame,the rod H, carried by the rear end of the seat-frame, theslotted back seated on said rod, and clamping devices acting inconnection with the rod,said members combined for joint operation,substantially as described and shown.

9. In combination with the sliding seatframe and itssustaining-trame,the back hinged to the seat-frame, the arms L, pivotedto the sustaining frame and connected with the back, and springs,substantially as described, acting upon the arms to resist the rearwardswinging motion of the back.

10. In combination with the hinged back, the pivoted arms L, the linksK, and the springs connected to the arms below their pivots, and lockingdevices to hold the parts in position.

11. In combination fwith the basefram-e and the rocker-frame, thenotched sectorplates pivoted to the baseframe, the transverselocking-bar mounted in the base-frame and engaging at its two ends thesector-plate, and the links pivoted to the sector-plate and to therocker-frame, as described, whereby the rocker-frame may be securelylocked at both sides.

l2. In combination with the horizontal rod or axis, the slotted backarranged to slide and swing thereon, and a spring mounted in the back tourge the same upward in an endwise direction.

13. In combination with a chair-back having both a swinging and anendwise sliding motion, a springconncction, substantially as described,acting to litt the back bodily, and a second spring-connection,substantially as described, acting to swing the back forward. ll. Incoml ination with the slotted back and its sustaining a rod H, thelifting-spring l mounted thereinl and sustained by the rod, whereby theyare permitted to act without i impeding the swinging or tipping motionot l the back. i 15. A chairback composed of a plurality of transversesections having their horizontal edges united and maintained in closeproximity hy hinges, whereby they are adapted to produce ljointly allat, a'concave, or a convex surface tor the oceupant,as may bedemanded.

16. A sliding seat, in combination with a hip-rtst hinged thereto, anupper rest hinged to the hip-rcst,and independently-locking devices tohold said parts in different relative positions.

17. In combination with a chair-back composed ot' sections united byhorizontal joints 1 or hinges, intermediate springs tending to tip l thesections in a forward direction.

1S. In a chair, the combination of a seat, a

hip-rest hinged thereto, a shoulder-rest hinged to the upper edge ot'the hip-rest, a head-rest hinged to the top ot' the shoulder-rest,andindependent mechanism, substantially as described, t'or locking therespective sections in different relative positions. l 19. In a chair, aback-section provided with i slotted side frames, in combination with asecond section having side frames jointed to those of the first andprovided with clampingscrews to enter their slots, whereby the sectionsmay be secured in different relative positions.

20. The sustainingrod H, its support, and the clamping-nut at.its end,in combination with the slotted back mounted thereon, the plates a', andthe tube J, to sustain the parts against the compressive action.

2l. In combination with sustaining bars or links K, the arm-rest O, theintermediate supporti lig-links, the fastening-link XV, and a lockingdevice, substantially as described, for holding the latter againstmotion in either direction, whereby the arm-rest may be prevented fromeither rising or falling.

22. rIhe bar K, the arm-rest, and the two connecting-links, one of whichhas a sliding connection with the bar, in combination with thefastening-link W and the locking device for the latter.

23. The seat, the pivoted tipping back, the links K, extending forwardat the sides ot' the seat, the levers or arms L, extending downwardt'rom the links, the springs acting upon the arms, and the lockingdevices also aparra-nged as described, whereby the occupant of the chairis enabled to conveniently adjust the back.

IOO

IIS

plied to the arms, said members combined and 24. In combination with arocker-frame, a seat arranged to slide forward and backward thereon, aleg-rest hinged to the forward edge of said seat, to partake of itssliding motion, a brace or support attached to said rest, and afastening device attached to the seat-frame for securing said brace indifferent positions, whereby the poise of the weight upon the rockersmay be at all times maintained irrespective of the leg-rest.

25. A leg-rest for a chair, provided,substan tially as described, withsustaining-wheels at its front and rear, with means for detachablyhinging it to the chair-seat, and with a brace or rod, 02, forconnection with the chair, whereby said rest may be used with one edgelhinged to the seat and the other edge upon the oor, with its entireweight sustained upon the Hoor, or with one edge hinged to thc seat andthe opposite edge sustained in the air.

26. In a chair having a back arranged to pass behind and beneath theseat, the seatsustaining frame having its sides united, as in Fig. 16,by a central cross-bar, whereby space is afforded for the passage of theback beneath the seat proper.

27. The seat, the leg-rest hinged thereto, and the restsustaining rod,in combination with the contractile clamp to secure said rod, and theeccentric and shaft for actuating the clamp.

28. The seat-frame consisting, essentially, of the side bars and therelatively-depressed cross-bars, of metal, with end flanges forattachment to the side bars, whereby the upholstery and springs arepermitted to extend to the eXtreme front and rear edges.

29. The seat-frame having the side bars, the depressed metalliccross-bars at the front and rear, and the wooden bars or facings appliedto the` cross-bars, substantially as and for the purpose described.

30. In a seat frame for a rocking-chair, the metallic front cross-baradapted, as described, to serve as a counter-balance, and provided withbearings for the support of the leg-rest, as shown.

31. In combination with the leg-rest providedwith eyes or sockets, theseatfraine and the spring-actuated pivot-bolts f2, movable transverselyof the chair to engage the eyes or sockets of the leg-rest. l

32. In combination with the swinging chairback, the links extendingforward therefrom, the upright arms or levers to which the links areattached, and the laterally-projecting handles or hand-piecesf, wherebythe attendant is enabled to adj ust the backv of the chair as to theinclination while seated therein.

33. In combination with a base-frame, a rocker-frame thereon, aseat-frame arranged to slide forward and backward on said rockerframe,the leg-rest hinged to the front of the seat-frame, and the back-resthinged to the rear of the seat-frame, whereby the weight may be broughtin the desired relation `to the rockers regardless of the position ofthe rests.

GEORGE F. CHILD.

Vitnesses:

JOHN T. ARMs, W. C. ALvoRD.

